homecoming update

 So Long 2012

As we transition into a new year, I'm hopeful that all of you have run out of fingers and toes to count your blessings.

For some, 2012 marked the end of a journey; while others embarked on a fresh new start.

Ubiquity, as always, showed up. We were there for those who lost loved ones and for those who triumphed. That's what we do. And once again, the Homecoming Old Skool Jam was financially successful and wonderfully enjoyable.

We accomplished so much as a class and individually. I can't remember everyone but these folks recorded some memorable moments during the past year: Brett Pulley, the dean of HU's Scripps Journalism School; Marcia Fields Milton, being elected to the Trailways board; Winifred Green Little earning her doctorate; and Miki Turner, publishing her first book.

As we move ahead to 2013, please be cognizant of the time. In two years we will celebrate our 35th reunion at our beloved Home by the Sea and we need to start actively contributing funds toward our class gift. Many of you have created a separate banking account in regard to this effort. I think that's great. I'm starting mine in 2013, too. Others have been sending checks directly to class treasurer Chuck Dortch, who has done an outstanding job keeping the Reunion Committee abreast of our financial activity. Whatever you can do, just do it!

Also, as previously mentioned, we are working on a major fund-raising project that I won't mention publicly. Hurricane Sandy through a monkey wrench in that effort during homecoming and the Hampton-Morgan State game in NYC. It's all good though. We have all summer and Homecoming 2013 to make up for lost ground.

So, here's hoping that 2013 is all that you need and want it to be for you and yours. Thank you for your service, your love and your kindness. There's nothing like UBIQUITY!

Cheers,
Mik

Ain't This Da Truth!

Big ups to  Ezrah Aharone for his provocative and well-researched piece on President Abraham Lincoln called: The Legend of Lincoln Unchained. Here's a link to his column that appeared on the Black Star News website.

http://blackstarnews.com/news/135/ARTICLE/8608/2012-12-29.html

Congrats!!

Congratulations to Darcea Scott West whose daughter Leigh, who will be enrolling at New York University this fall. NYU was just one of six schools so far that accepted Leigh. Hampton, Howard, Pitt, Rutgers and Maryland were the others. Always nice to have choices!

Miki Turner's book, journey to the woman i've come to love, will be released early next month after a lengthy production delay. If you're in L.A. on Jan. 20, artist Synthia Saint James will host Miki's first book signing at her home/gallery. Miki will then travel to the UK, St. Lucia and possible Germany for other signings during February. Additionally, she has been invited to speak at the Women of the World conference in London this March.

Homecoming 2013

The Reunion Committee has reserved a block of rooms at the the Crowne Plaza for the upcoming homecoming weekend whenever that might be. We currently have a block of 20 that may increase. As soon as we receive and sign the contract, we'll let you know. The rate is $169 including breakfast.

CLASS NEWS

 Onward & Upward

It's that time of year when we celebrate new chapters in our lives and those of our children. Below is a list of classmates earning additional degrees; as well as a listing of graduating Ubiquity offspring.

Our peeps:
Dr. Winnie Green earned her her Ph.D. in education from Eastern Michigan University
Billy Taylor earned his master's in administration and supervision with a concentration on organizational leadership from Virgina State University. He is planning to wobble across stage. Keep an eye out for the YouTube clip.

Da Kids:
Sean Smith, son of Cheryl Joseph Smith and Larry Smith, graduates from the University of Miami with a degree in marketing.
Kristopher Holmes, son of Karla Morris-Holmes, graduates from Xavier University (Cincinnati) was an honors graduate in history and minored in classical humanities and theology.
John Marcus Heyer, son of Gayle Heyer, graduates from Hampton University with a degree in Psychology.
Joy Imani Bullock, daughter of Kim Bullock, graduated from St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island and will be attending George Washington U. in the fall.
Kyle Avery, the son of Anthony and Karen Avery, will be attending Hampton in the fall.
Lindsey Chester, daughter of Leonard Chester, graduated from Hayfield High School in Alexandria, Va. and will be attending Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on a basketball scholarship.

New gigs:
Maya Otero Norvel, daughter of Wynton Ivey Norvel Dillard, now works in the Hampton's university relations office.

NECROLOGY

We'd also like to offer our belated condolences to Tony Perry, who lost his baby sister recently; and to Dr. Mary Morrow-Sutton, who lost her younger brother.

Regional Reunions

Here's the ATL crew hooking up for Sunday brunch!

From R-L, Dr. Mary Morrow-Sutton, Fred Sutton, Renee Allen, Michael Byrd, Gina Byrd, Lenora Williams, Steve Blair, Lauren Jones, Altamarie Burroughs, Leah Crocker, Leah's daughter, Phyllis Ingram Ford, Glenn Ford.


HOMECOMING NEWS

As of May 11 we still have these rooms available in our block at the Country Inn Suites in Hampton.

• 4 king suites
• 4 doubles with two queen beds (smoking)
• 13 king rooms
• 5 doubles with two queen beds (non-smoking)

If we fill up the block, we'll get a free hospitality room.

To reserve, call the hotel directly at 757-224-9994 to obtain the special rates with our password.

As for the party. Same bat time, same bat place. Saturday night, Oct. 27 at the McGrew Towers Conference Center on campus.

HAMPTON NEWS

The annual Hampton Ladies Luncheon will be held on Aug. 4 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Tickets are $100. For more information regarding the luncheon and hotel rates, please call: Dr. Bettye J. Miller at 301-439-7471 (h) or 240-351-9557 (c).

Presenting Dr. Green!

Congratulations to Dr. Winifred Little Green, who recently earned her doctorate from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. The title of Winnie's dissertation was "Perceptions Regarding the Men's Curriculum Reform Policy and Its Impact on CTE and Dual Enrollment at a Southwestern Michigan High School."
Wow. That sounds heavy!
Winnie, a marketing major at Hampton, also has an MBE from Eastern Michigan. She is currently the principal and district CTE director of the Michael Berry Campus, Dearborn Public Schools in Dearborn, MI.

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since we've connected virtually, but it's time to do what we need to do!

First, we have implemented what we believe to be a practical and stress-free plan to raise money for our 2015 class gift. As mentioned in class treasurer Chuck Dortch's letter last November, we're asking that each classmate donate $25 a month, or whatever you can afford to give, over the next three years. Our goal is to raise at least $125,000 by the time we return in 2015 through our donations and corporate matches--if those still exist!

Judge Dortch has set up a special account for these donations and we need you to start sending those checks by 15jan. Please make your checks out to HU Class of 1980 Reunion 2015 and mail them to Chuck at:
15 Silver Hill Lane
Vorhees, NJ 08043

Secondly, it's not about competing with other classes to raise the most money. This is about the kids. Every little bit helps some deserving student find his or her way to our home by the sea. Some of you might have benefitted from alumni giving back in the day. It's time to pay and pray it forward. Also, if we don't have to spend time collecting money during our reunion weekend, we can spend more time enjoying each other.

Lastly, if anyone--particularly you accounting and business majors--would like to serve with Chuck on the fundraising committee, please reach out to him directly at Charles. Dortch@comcast.net. You can also reach him by phone, 856-889-3638.
We can do this! On behalf of the Reunion 2015 Committee, thank you and God bless.

Are You Ready To Partay?!!!

Wow. Homecoming 2011 is just a little over a month away and your class leadership has been working diligently with the leaders from '79 and '81 to ensure that a good time will be had by all.

'Ol School Jam 7 will be held at the McGrew Towers Conference Center on campus. Ticket sales and parking issues are still be worked out and we'll let you know what's up as soon as we know.

We look forward to seeing you all in October! Please spread the word that 'Ol School 7 is the place to be Homecoming Weekend!

HOMECOMING NEWS

Need A Room?

Our room block is nearly full. The cutoff date for booking reservations at our special $159 rate is Sept. 30. The Homecoming committee will be meeting this later this week to fine tune all the details for the Saturday night jam. We look forward to working with '81's new leadership--Charles Corley and Kenneth Lewis--and promise that this year's party will be bigger and betta than ever!

CLASS NEWS

Comedy in da Park

The ever enterprising Bill Young has organized another Ubiquity fundraiser. This one is Comedy in the Park starring Hampton's own Willie Brown & Woodie, Laughing Lenny and Alycia Cooper. It will be held Sept. 10 at Fort DuPont Park in D.C. Hosted by Rob Miner, tickets are $35 and includes a light buffet. See ad below for other details.

Wanda is Super!

On June 14, 2011, Dr. Wanda Parker Dawson was appointed Superintendent of the Pamlico County Schools system located in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Dawson has worked in the district for the past 31 years as a speech pathologist, assistant principal, special education director, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent. Dr. Dawson will begin in her new position on August 1, 2011. She can be contacted at wandadawson@pamlicoschools.org

The Offspring

Congrats to Brett Pulley's oldest daughter Zoe, she's off to Spelman this month. Also, Larry & Cheryl Smith's daughter Lauren graduated from Emory last spring and has relocated to New York City to work for Macy's.

Was I the Only One?

Had a chat with Harry Belafonte last week and when I mentioned I had gone to Hampton, he looked as though he'd seen a ghost. "I went to Hampton," he said. Was I the only one who didn't know this? Apparently, he was stationed in Norfolk and was involved in some sort of military trade-0ff where enlisted men could attend nearby colleges. Although he met his first wife there, caused some sort of ruckus and then was deployed somewhere far, far away!

Birthdays

August

Brenda Mallory, Aug. 6
Yvette Lee Davis, Aug. 9
Gregory "Trammel" Groce
Leonard Chester, Aug. 18
Lauren Jones, Aug. 19
Pam Jones Johnson, Aug. 20
Janice Tyson, Aug. 24
Karen Randolph, Aug. 26
Donna Porter, Aug, 29

September

Valerie Millsap Harrison, Sept. 2
Kelvin "Stone" Johnson, Sept. 17
Altamarie Burroughs, Sept. 18
Mary Morrow-Sutton, Sept. 18
Andre Rush, Sept. 22
Danita Locks Smith, Sept. 23
Gayle Burnett Heyer, Sept. 25
Karla Morris Holmes, Sept. 26
Renee Allen, Sept. 27
Vincent Bayyan, Sept. 27
Rosiland Murray-Port, Sept. 29